Convertible coffee-dining table



Feb. 6, 1962 H. A. BERLINER 3,020,111

CONVERTIBLE COFFEE-DINING TABLE Filed Aug. 23, 1960 N T WW E a M M,-

Filed Aug. 23, 1960, Ser. No. 51,397 6 Claims. (Cl. 3l1.-3)

This invention relates generally to table structure and moreparticularly to a novel construction providing a table that can beconverted from a dining table to a coffee table of less height andlength.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide aself-contained table structure which may be readily converted from adining table to a coffee table by appropriate reductions in both theheight and the length thereof, without detracting from its structuralrigidity or appearance.

Another object of the invention is to provide a convertiblecoffee-dining table where the manipulation of the structural elementscan be quickly and easily performed, and where there are no legs orleaves employed in one position which must be stored separately when thetable is utilized in the other position.

Still another object is to provide a convertible coffeedining tablewhich is simple in construction, economical in manufacture and notunduly subject to damage in normal use.

Other objectives and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a table construction incorporating theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the table illustrated in FIG. 1, shownhere in a position suitable for use as a dining table;

FIG. 3 is an end elevation taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation similar ot FIG. 2 but showing here the tableconstruction in a position suitable for use as a coifee table; and

FIG. 5 is an end elevation taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

Referring more particularly to the embodiment of the inventionillustrated in the drawings, the table construction is illustrated hereas comprising a table top 1 defined by side edges 3, 5 and end edges 7,9. In the embodiment illustrated, the side edges 3 and 5 are bothtapered inwardly from a central point along their length, but it shouldbe noted that other edge contours may be employed.

A pair of table leaves 11, 13 are provided to form extensions of thetable top 1 at either end thereof. Leaves 1?. and 13 are preferably ofthe same vertical thickness as the table top itself and lie in coplanarrelationship therewith when positioned in abutting relationship withrespect to the respective end edges 7 and 9. Leaves 11 and 13 may havetheir sides tapered to form a continuation of the tapers provided on theside edges 3 and 5 of table top 1.

Both of the leaves 11 and 13 are rigidly secured at the inner endsthereof upon the upper surface of a connector members 15. The connectors15 extend inwardly under the surface of the table top 1 and arepivotally secured at their inner ends to the underside of the table topat points adjacent to but spaced from end edges 7 and 9. Piano-typehinges 17 may be employed for this purpose.

The connectors 15 preferably extend substantially the full width of thetable along the lines of abutment between table top 1 and leaves 11 and13. A pair of legs 19 are rigidly mounted in laterally spaced relationunder hired States Patent 0 each connector 15 and are of sufiicientheight to support inches and a height of approximately 28 inches. Fromthis position the legs 19 may be pivoted inwardly, thus swinging theconnectors 15 and the leaves 11 and 13 into the position illustrated inFIG. 4. The leaves 11 and 13 thereby form the supporting legs of thetable which now has a longitudinal dimension on the order of 50 inchesand a height of approximately 18 inches. Depending upon the relativedimensions of the legs 19 and the table top 1, the former may bearranged to overlap when pivoted into cotfee-table position asillustrated in FIG. 3.

Where the leaves and/ or the legs are not inclined outwardly to asufiicient extent when in table-supporting position, supplementarylocking means may be employed to hold the legs and leaves at theextremities of their pivotal movement. For example, when the table is inits lowered position, conventional spring clips 21 may be mounted on theunderside of table top 1 and serve to engage the legs 19. When the tableis in its raised position a sliding bolt assembly can be employed toprevent pivotal movement of the connector. Thus bolts 23 mounted in theunderside of table top 1 in retainers 25 are adapted to be movedinwardly through gaps in hinges 17 and be received in apertures 27 inthe connectors.

While one embodiment only has been shown here it should be understoodthat numerous modifications can be made in the construction and designof the present device without departing from the spirit of the inventionor the scope of the annexed claims.

I claim:

1. A convertible table, comprising: a table top; leaf means projectinghorizontally beyond at least one edge.

of said table top to provide an extension of the upper surface of saidtable top at generally the same level therewith; generally upright legmeans rigidly connected at their upper ends to said leaf means; andmeans pivotally connecting said leaf means to said table top fordownwardly swinging movement into a generally vertical table supportingposition, said rigidly connected legs being swung upwardly and inwardlythereby to an inactive position underlying said table.

2. A convertible table, comprising: a table top; table leaves projectingfrom opposite edges of said table top to form extensions of the uppersurface thereof; generally upright table legs rigidly connected at theirupper ends upper surface thereof; connector means rigidly secured,

to said table leaves and extending inwardly therefrom beneath theunderside of said table top; leg means rigidly secured in dependingrelation beneath the inner portions of said connector means; and hingemeans securing said connector means to the underside of said table topfor pivotal movement of said connector means about the inner endsthereof on axes adjacent to but spaced inwardly from the end edges ofsaid table, whereby said leaves may be swung downwardly and inwardlyinto a generally vertical position supporting said table top throughsaid connector members, said table legs being simultaneously swungupwardly and inwardly into a position underlying said table top.

4. The construction of claim 3 wherein said table leaves ReferencesCited in the file of this patent project horizontally outward for asubstantially shorter distance than the height of said table legs.UNITED STATES PATENTS 5. The construction of claim 3 wherein saidconnector 2,527,505 Wilkin on Oct. 24, 1950 members extend inwardlybeneath the undersurface of 5 2,560,821 Rieman ct a1 July 17, 1951 saidtable top for a distance at least equal to the thickness 2,602,716 MuthJuly 8, 1952 of saicltable leaves. 2,630,360 McGinley Mar. 3, 1953 6.The construction of claim 3 including means for lock- 2,636,794Sternkopf Apr. 28, 1953 ing said leaves and legs at the oppositeextremities of 2,688,524 Hodgman Sept. 7, 1954 their pivotal movement.10 2,843,437 Dorsey et al July 15, 1958

